The film is described as "semi-factual, semi-fictional".[8]Variety's reviewer, Andrew Barker, noted that the film is "about a character who happens to share a name and a significant number of biographical similarities with Chet Baker, taking the legendary West Coast jazz musician's life as though it were merely a chord chart from which to launch an improvised set of new melodies".[2] Set largely in 1966, Baker (portrayed by Ethan Hawke) is hired to play himself in a movie about his earlier years when he first tried heroin. He romances actress Jane Azuka (a fictional character, a composite of several of Baker's women in real life, portrayed here by Carmen Ejogo) but on their first date, Baker is attacked by thugs and his front teeth smashed. As Baker recovers from his injury, his embouchure is ruined and he is unable to play trumpet any better than a novice. Meanwhile, he must answer to a probation officer, and ensure he is employed, while sticking to his regimen of methadone treatment.
The jazz score to the film was created by composer and pianist David Braid.[12] The audio for trumpet performances in the film was done by Kevin Turcotte.[13] Hawke had taken trumpet lessons from Ben Promane,[14] and requested video of Turcotte recording, in order to mime the playing during the shoot.[15]
Born to Be Blue received positive reviews from film critics, with Hawke's performance receiving praise. It holds an 88% "Certified Fresh" rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 100 reviews, with an average rating of 7/10 and critical consensus being: "Born to Be Blue benefits from a highlight-reel performance from Ethan Hawke and an impressionistic, non-hagiographic approach to Chet Baker's life and times".[21] On Metacritic, the film holds a rating of 64 out of 100, based on 32 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[22]
^Jordan Pinto (7 March 2016). "The birth of eOne's Born to be Blue". Retrieved 29 March 2016. The film is written and directed by Robert Budreau and is produced by two Canadian prodcos, New Real Films and Lumanity Productions, as well as the U.K.'s Black Hangar Studios. Born to be Blue is distributed by eOne in Canada and IFC Films in the U.S.
^Patrick Ryan (21 March 2016). "Ethan Hawke was 'Born' to play jazz icon Chet Baker". USA Today. Retrieved 29 March 2016. ... premiered to strong reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival last fall and opens in New York and Los Angeles on Friday (and on video on demand March 31).
^Jordan Pinto (7 March 2016). "The Birth of eOne's Born to Be Blue". Playback Online. Retrieved 29 March 2016. The film opens two weeks earlier in Canada than it does in the U.S, starting March 11 at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and at Montreal's Cinema Du Parc. One week later, on March 18, Blue opens in four cities in Ontario (London, Waterloo, Guelph and Sudbury), as well as Saskatoon, SK, Halifax, NS and Edmonton, AB. On March 25, the film opens in Vancouver, BC and Calgary, AB, followed by Ottawa, ON and Victoria, BC on April 1 and Regina, SK on April 8. The Bell Lightbox screening on March 11 is followed by a Q&A session with Budreau, while Ethan Hawke also appeared at a special screening of the event on Feb. 29 at the same venue. eOne's VP of theatrical operations Tim Smythe-Bishop said the strategy behind opening in Canada two weeks ahead of in the U.S. was partially so the Canadian release would receive an extra boost from Ethan Hawke's promotional appearances south of the border.
